NEWS AND EVENTS
eSIM 2024 Conference
IDOBE Group welcomes you to join us at the eSIM 2024, the premier conference for building performance professionals, hosted at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada, from June 5-7, 2024. With a focus on “Stimulating Sustainability Together,” the conference includes a three-day program, featuring seminars, workshops, banquet dinner at Fort Edmonton Park and a group trip to Jasper National Park. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and connect with experts in building performance simulation!
Event Details
Date: June 5 – June 7, 2024
Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Location: University of Alberta
Explore an enriching program comprising research presentations, workshops, keynote speeches, and valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals, researchers, and students.
To reserve your spot, please register here : Registration link
For further information on Conference agenda and workshops please visit: eSIM2024 Conference
“We look forward to welcoming you to Edmonton for the event!”
Canadian Sustainable Concrete 3D Printing Conference
SMART Lab is excited to announce the highly anticipated conference on Concrete 3D Printing, where innovation meets expertise! Mark your calendars for May 15, 2024! Our event is designed to explore the latest advancements and trends in this rapidly evolving field. Join us as we delve into Expert Perspectives on Cutting-Edge Topics and showcase Smart and Sustainable Technologies driving the future of construction.
Event Details
Date: May 15, 2024
Time: 10:45 AM to 3:00 PM
Location: Westerner Park, Red Deer, AB
Engage with experts, peers, and industry leaders in a dynamic exchange of ideas, experiences, and strategies that aim to shape the future of construction through sustainability, innovation, and smart technology!
To secure your spot, please register using the following link: Registration
For more information, please visit: https://www.smartmtx.ca/conference/concrete-conference
Organized by:
SMART Lab, Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta
In collaboration with:
Nasseri School of Building Science and Engineering and Construction Innovation Centre (CIC).
For further inquiries, please contact us at
Dr. Rafiq Ahmad, Associate Professor/Founder and Director of SMART Lab
Fatima Ramirez, Research Assistant, SMART Lab
Dr. Ying Hei Chui Appointed as Nasseri Senior University of Alberta Engineering Research Chair
In a recent ceremony, Dr. Ying Hei Chui was appointed the Nasseri Senior University of Alberta Engineering Research Chair in Advanced Wood Construction. This prestigious 5-year appointment recognizes Dr. Chui’s exceptional contributions to the field.
Renowned for his pioneering work in sustainable wood engineering, Dr. Chui’s appointment underscores his commitment to advancing eco-friendly construction practices. The ceremony, attended by esteemed colleagues and industry leaders, celebrated his innovative approach and its potential to revolutionize the industry.
Congratulations to Dr. Chui on this well-deserved recognition of his expertise and commitment to a greener, more sustainable future.
Dr. Yuxiang Chen Honored with Nasseri UAERC for Resource-Efficient Cold Climate Buildings
In a recent event, Dr. Yuxiang Chen was recognized with the prestigious Nasseri University of Alberta Engineering Research Chair (UAERC) in the field of Resource-Efficient Buildings for Cold Climates. This recognition applauds Dr. Chen’s exceptional expertise in advancing energy-efficient construction methods for harsh, frigid environments.
With a reputation for groundbreaking work in sustainable architecture, Dr. Chen has consistently pushed the boundaries of eco-friendly building practices, specifically in cold climate regions. The ceremony, attended by esteemed colleagues and influential figures within the industry, served as a tribute to Dr. Chen’s remarkable contributions. His innovative approach is set to reshape the future of environmentally conscious construction, establishing him as a true luminary in the realm of resource-efficient architecture.
Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Dr. Chen for this well-deserved honor, acknowledging his unwavering commitment to advancing sustainable construction practices and his profound influence on the future of environmentally friendly architectural design.
Dr. Ying Hei Chui Receives Prestigious 2023 CSA Award Of Merit For Outstanding Contributions
Dr. Ying Hei Chui, Director of the Nasseri School, has been honored with the prestigious 2023 CSA Award of Merit for his outstanding contributions and leadership in the development and advancement of voluntary standards.
With a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Chui has emerged as one of Canada’s leading researchers in timber engineering and engineered wood products. Between 2017 and 2023, he was NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Engineered Wood and Building Systems at the University of Alberta. Prior to joining the University of Alberta, he held the esteemed New Brunswick Innovation Research Chair in Advanced Wood Products and served as the Director of the Wood Science and Technology Centre at the University of New Brunswick.
A recent milestone in Dr. Chui’s career has been his lead role in establishing the Canadian Wood Construction Research Network (CWCRN). This collaborative network brought together 31 university professors, 20 partner scientists/engineers, and numerous students and industry partners. The CWCRN, supported by a $6.25 million NSERC Alliance Grant, focused on advancing timber engineering and promoting sustainable construction practices through its five-year program, Next-Generation Wood Construction.
Dr. Chui’s leadership has been instrumental in driving innovation, fostering excellence, and promoting the use of timber in construction. His expertise and dedication have contributed to the development of voluntary standards that enhance safety and sustainability in the industry.
Read more: https://www.csagroup.org/wp-content/uploads/CSA-2023AwardOfMerit_BIL_Accessible_Chui-Ying-Hei.pdf
Industry 4.0 Technologies Workshop
Industry 4.0 Technologies Workshop for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
We are excited to announce the upcoming Industry 4.0 Technologies Workshop, organized by the Nasseri School in collaboration with Professors from TEC de Monterrey. This workshop aims to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration between academia and industry professionals in the field of advanced technologies. Event Details:
- Date: June 6th and 7th, 2023
- Time: 9:00 AM onwards
- Venue: ETLC 9120 116 Street Northwest Edmonton, AB T6G 2V4
The workshop will provide a unique opportunity for industry professionals to explore the latest advancements in Industry 4.0 technologies and their practical applications. It will feature insightful presentations, interactive sessions, and hands-on demonstrations led by experts in the field. During the workshop, we will be utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities of the Nasseri School Lab to conduct demos and hands-on workshops. Please note that due to space limitations, this workshop is exclusively open to industry professionals.To secure your spot, please register through Eventbrite using the following link: [Ticket Registration] We look forward to welcoming you to the Industry 4.0 Technologies Workshop and fostering meaningful interactions among industry experts and academia. For further inquiries, please contact us at SMART LAB: smartlab@ualberta.ca or Dr. Rafiq Ahmad: rafiq.ahmad@ualberta.ca
Making Solar-Powered Cities At The Speed Of Light
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new application that uses Google Earth to quickly and automatically create solar panel layouts for buildings. The goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by making solar energy more accessible. The application uses freely-available 3D satellite imagery and models from Google Earth to trace building rooftops and find the best positions for maximum sunlight exposure. By using this technology, ideal rooftop solar panel layouts have been identified for several buildings on the North campus, including the Cameron Library, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences building, and the Administration building. The researchers plan to expand the application to the entire North campus, with the potential to use it in entire cities. This technology could significantly reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources.
U Of A Ranks Among World’s Top Universities Striving For A Sustainable World
University places 64th in latest global ranking of schools making an impact toward achieving un’s sustainable development goals for 2030.
April 21, 2021 by Michael Brown
On world creativity and innovation day, a new ranking places the U of A 64th in the world among universities making an impact toward achieving the un’s sustainable development goals for 2030. (photo: NASA) the University of Alberta has been named one of the world’s top 100 most sustainable post[1]secondary institutions for its ongoing efforts creating sustainability on campus and in the local and global community. According to the third annual times higher education (THE) impact ranking, which lists participating universities by their contribution to a list of 17 sustainable development goals (SDGS) to be achieved by 2030 as outlined by the united nations, the U of A is the world’s 64th most sustainable university.
Changing the way we build, building a better future
The construction industry in North America generates significant amounts of material waste and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, hindering the development of major energy projects. To address this issue, the University of Alberta’s faculty of engineering has been working with industry partners to streamline construction processes, improve building materials, and increase competitiveness. With a $10 million contribution from the founder of Landmark Homes, the newly established Nasseri School of Building Science and Engineering will focus on improving the sustainability of commercial and residential building processes from design to the building life cycle. The goal is to modernize construction methods and keep the benefits of energy production within Canada.
Alberta Innovates Awards Scholarship to PhD Candidate Bridging Engineering with Human
Factors for Construction Research
Lynn Shehab, a PhD candidate at the University of Alberta under the guidance of her supervisor, Dr. Farook Hamzeh, is conducting groundbreaking research on the relationship between construction and cognitive abilities. Drawing from her interests in engineering and psychology, Lynn investigates the impacts of improvisation and collaboration among construction workers using an array of wearable sensors for physiological measurements. This comprehensive set of sensors includes EEG, heart rate monitors, EDA sensors, eye tracking glasses, and a VR headset.
At the core of Lynn’s research lies a focus on the cognitive abilities crucial for construction workers, notably collaboration and risk perception. She explores how these abilities are influenced by physical exertion, fatigue, and distraction. By gathering physiological measurements encompassing brain signals, EDA, and eye movements, Lynn seeks to unravel the intricate connection between the mind and the body in the context of construction.
The significance of Lynn’s research lies in bridging the gap between the construction industry and human factors, ultimately enhancing the safety and efficiency of construction sites. Her work provides invaluable insights into designing safer and more effective work environments that consider the cognitive abilities and limitations of construction workers.
Recognizing the alignment between her research area and the Alberta Innovates Graduate Student Scholarship (AIGSS), Lynn applied for the scholarship. The AIGSS supports graduate students engaged in full-time research within emerging technology areas. Lynn’s exceptional research proposal earned her the scholarship, bolstering her ability to advance her investigation on using wearable sensors to measure the cognitive aspects of construction performance. This novel approach to construction research, coupled with the support of Alberta Innovates, brings Lynn one step closer to realizing her research goals.
The Nasseri School of Building Science and Engineering Showcases State-of-the-Art Lab at CIC Open House
The Nasseri School of Building Science and Engineering recently opened its lab doors to showcase their state-of-the-art facility as part of the CIC Open House. This event was a great opportunity for visitors to get an inside look at the lab and learn about its three key components: the environmental chamber, the robotic construction cell, and the cyber-physical testbed.
The environmental chamber, developed by Dr. Yuxiang Chen, is a highlight of the Nasseri School lab. It is designed to simulate various environmental conditions for testing the thermal performance and structural capacities of exterior wall assemblies under extreme conditions. This capability is critical for building design and construction, especially in areas prone to natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. The chamber’s ability to simulate extreme weather conditions can help researchers and engineers develop more resilient building materials and systems.
Another feature of the Nasseri School lab is the robotic construction cell, also developed by Dr. Chen, which consists of two robotic arms mounted on a rail and a mobile platform. The robotic construction cell is primarily used to test novel building systems using robotic construction technologies. The mobile platform can be used to simulate the assembly of large-scale structures, while the robotic arm mounted on the rail can be used for testing the integration of different building components.
Finally, the lab will soon have a cyber-physical testbed developed by Dr. Qipei Mei, consisting of a virtual reality treadmill, a quadruped robot (LittleDog), and high-performance computational clusters. The testbed will be used to develop artificial intelligence and computer vision technologies for construction. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the way buildings are designed, constructed, and maintained, leading to more efficient and sustainable building practices.
The Nasseri School lab is a testament to UofA’s commitment to innovation and research in building science and engineering. The lab’s cutting-edge technology and facilities provide a unique opportunity for students and researchers to gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and techniques in the field. The CIC Open House was a great opportunity for the public to see this innovative lab in action and learn about the important work being done to advance building science and engineering.
In conclusion, the Nasseri School Lab is a cutting-edge facility that showcases the latest technologies and techniques in building science and engineering. Its environmental chamber, robotic construction cell, and cyber-physical testbed are essential components of the lab’s mission to advance research and innovation in building science and engineering. The CIC Open House was a great opportunity to showcase the lab’s capabilities and highlight the important work being done to develop more resilient, efficient, and sustainable building practices.
